This past weekend was a big one for the Ohio State Buckeyes on the recruiting front but not based on bringing many uncommitted athletes on campus but rather a chance to bring in the majority of the class of 2011. The Buckeyes have 18 commits to date and all but a few were on a snowy Ohio State campus to spend the weekend.

Greenwood (Ind.) defensive tackle Joel Hale has not been a stranger to the Ohio State campus and has made it down during the regular season but this past weekend was more of an opportunity to spend time with his future teammates rather than be sold on the university that he will be soon enrolling at.

"It was great and I had a great time," Hale said of his visit. "Really getting a chance to meet a lot of the commits and current players was cool. It was the first time that so many of us had been together at once. I think there were like 15 of us there."

The future Buckeyes had a chance to watch the current Buckeye preparing for the Sugar Bowl in the BCS. Making it to BCS and National Championship games are in the minds of all players including the new Buckeyes and it was a welcome opportunity to get another glimpse into how things are going to be in the near future.

"I got to see some of practice on Friday and then watch a little bit on Saturday," Hale said. "I am excited about their practices. They are run just like ours (at Hale's high school) and Ohio State runs the same defensive system that we do. I am just hoping to be able to transition well into it."

A special treat for the players was a visit by university E. Gordon Gee and he delivered a special message.

"He just told us to enjoy the college lifestyle and whatever you put into it you are going to get out of it," Hale said.